Field compressor



Judy as, 1947. I YOUN 2,424,010

FIELD COMPRESSOR Filed Oct. 12, 1944 3nventor fiwwk 5 You/7 Clttornegi Patented July 15, 1947 FIELD COMPRESSOR Farrile S. Young, Kansas City,

Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line City, Mo., a corporation oi Mo., assignor to Company, Kansas Delaware Application October 12, 1944, Serial No. 558,427 Claims. (Cl. 230-206) This invention relates to field compressors, and particularly to an oil cooling system for engines used in such compressors.

In ordinary present day practice, with field compressor stations locatedhit the point of use, it is necessary to drill water wells for supply of water to cool the oil in the motor to prevent overheating of such motor. This is, of course, an expensive procedure and applicant's device is de signed to eliminate the sinking of such water wells.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a portable type compressor having a symmetrical and compact arrangement of piping so that the device may be moved from one place to another and quickly and easily assembled for use; to provide heat exchanger for cooling the oil in the motor of said compressor; to provide means for supplying gas from a source of supply to said heat exchanger for cooling the oil from the motor; to provide improved means for effecting the heat transfer between the engine oil and the cooling water; to provide means connecting the oil containing crank case and said heat exchanger; to provide means for circulating said oil through said heat exchanger, and to provide a simple and economical device capable of operating in an efficient manner for the purpose set forth,

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating my invention showing the crank case partly broken away to show the oil therein.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the heat exchanger forming part of my invention.

Referring more in detail to the drawing:

l designates a field compressor embodying the features of my invention supported on base 2. My compressor is particularly adapted to be moved from place to place and, if desired, the base 2 may be provided with devices, such as skids or the like (not shown), for moving the compressor station from one place to another or it may be placed on a truck for transportation.

3 designates an engine or motor of ordinary construction having a plurality of cylinders 5, an exhaust header 5, free air header 6 and a crank case I adapted to contain lubricating oil 8 for the motor. The compressor is provided with a plurality of chambers 9 having a suction header l0 and a discharge header II for carrying the compressed gas to a pipe line.

Preferably located at one end of the compressor is a heat exchanger l2 having one end connected to a source of gas supply through pipe l3 and the other end connected to the suction header ll! by pipe Iii. Connected near one end and preferably at the top of the heat exchanger i2 is a pipe l5 leading to the end of the crank case i and connected thereto as indicated at I6, through which hot oil from the engine is passed to the heat exchanger. Connected preferably to the top of the opposite end of the heat exchanger is a pipe I 7 leading to the crank case .7 for allowing the cooled oil to flow back to the crank case after it has been passed through the heat exchanger and been cooled.

Water is circulated through the engine from a radiator (not shown) through pipe It to the end of the crank case as indicated at 19 and after circulating through the motor, it flows through pipe 20 back to said radiator.

I also preferably provide a fuel gas reservoir 2i having connection 22 to gas inlet pipe l3 and a pipe 23 is connected to the opposite end of said reservoir leading to said motor for supplying fuel thereto.

The heat exchanger preferably consists of a cylindrical shell 25 provided at its respective ends with heads 25 having a plurality of openings therein receiving a plurality of tubes 26 through which gas entering from pipe l3 will pass through the heat exchanger to pipe is and thence to said compressor chambers. The tubes 26 may be attached to the head 25 preferably by swaging or other suitable means. I also provide baiiies or the like 21 in said cylindrical shell oifset from each other to provide a tortuous passage for the oil passing through said heat exchanger so that the oil will be thoroughly cooled before it leaves the heat exchanger. Headers 28 and 29 are connected to the respective ends of the heat exchanger and to the inlet and outlet pipes l3 and M as best illustrated in Fig. 2.

Operation of a device constructed and assembled as described is as follows:

Gas may be supplied from any suitable source and passed through a scrubber (not shown). The gas enters the heat exchanger l2 through, pipe l3 thence through the tubes 28 to pipe it connected to the opposite end of said heat exchanger and thence to the suction head above the compressor chambers 9. Gas from a source of supply, such as a gas well, usually enters the heat exchanger at a temperature from 40 to 60 F. Hot oil to be cooled will pass from the engine through pipe 15 to the heat exchanger. The oil will flow over and around the tubes 26 in the heat exchanger and the gas flowing through the tubes, being very much cooler than the hot oil coming from the engine, will reduce the temperature of the oil to approximately to F. After the oil has been cooled it will pass out through pipe ll back to the crank case 1 of the engine as indicated at 30. The heat exchange is accomplished through the film of oil flowing through the as a coil may be used for 3 tortuous path provided by the baiiies in the heat exchanger around said tubes and the cool gas passing through said tubes. After the gas is passed through the compressor 9 it is sent to a point or use through pipe II. The iuel gas is bypassed from pipe II to the reservoir and thence to the engine to supply fuel for running the enine.

8 While I have described my particular heat exchanger as having a series of tubes extending longitudinally thereof for passage of the gas therethrough in heat exchange relation with the hot oil, it will be obvious that other means such passing the oil therethrough and flowing the gas around said coil or other means.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that I have provided improved details of structure for cooling the oil in a motor for a field compressor, one which may be run for a considerable length of time without attention, and one that can be easily and quickly transported from one place to another tor use.

what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described comprising, a compressor, a motor having a crank case containing oil for lubricating said motor, a gas supply line leading to said compressor, and means in said line for cooling said oil.

2. A device of the character described comprising, a compressor, a motor having a crank case containing oil for lubricating said motor, a gas supply line leading to said compressor, means in said line for cooling said oil, and means for returning said 011 to said motor.

3. A device of the character described compris- 4 ing. a compressor, a motor having a crank case containing oil for lubricating said motor. a gas supply line leading to said compressor, a heat exchanger in said line for cooling said oil. and means for returning said oil to said motor.

4. An apparatus of the character described comprising, a compressor, a motor having a crank case for containing oil for lubricating said motor, a gas supply line leading to said compressor, a heat exchanger in said line, and means for passing said oil irom said motor through said heat exchanger in heat exchange relation with said gas for cooling said oil.

5. An apparatus of the character described comprising, a compressor, a motor having a crank case for containing oil for lubricating said motor, a. gas supply line leading to said compressor, a heat exchanger in said line, means for pusing said oil from said motor through said heat exchanger in heat exchange relation with said gas for cooling said oil and returning said cooled oil to said crank case.

FARRIIE S. YOUNG.

REFERENCES crmn The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

